Single Cell Protein Patents (Class 435/804)
  • Patent number: 8815573
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells. The invention also provides kits for use in the cultivation of a mammalian epithelial cell that comprise one or more containers, wherein a first container contains the culture medium of the invention. These kits may further comprise one or more additional containers containing one or more supplements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gorfien, Richard Fike, Glenn P. Godwin, Joyce L. Wolanske, David A. Epstein, Dale Gruber, Don McClure, Paul J. Price
  • Patent number: 8524473
    Abstract: An improved ethanol production process providing novel stillage treatment is disclosed wherein the stillage is separated into four value added product streams that are subjected to drying conditions reducing or eliminating volatization of any VOC's in the product streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Little Sioux Corn Processors
    Inventors: Neal Hammond, John Prevost
  • Patent number: 8257951
    Abstract: An improved ethanol production process providing novel stillage treatment is disclosed wherein the stillage is separated into four value added product streams that are subjected to drying conditions reducing or eliminating volatization of any VOC's in the product streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Little Sioux Corn Processors, LLC.
    Inventors: John E. Prevost, Neal A. Hammond
  • Patent number: 7931806
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes and business methods and wastewater treatment units for converting the waterborne residuals from wastewater generated by food processing plants into an ingredient suitable for use in animal feeds. The ingredient produced by the processes of the present invention has a high protein content and can be used as a replacement for conventional sources of animal feed protein such as fish meal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Oberon Frm, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Logan, Seth Sprague Terry, Randy Swenson
  • Patent number: 7229789
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for releasing proteins from cells and/or inactivating viruses. In the process, a host cell containing a protein of interest is contacted with a solution of an effective amount of a detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: N.V. Organon
    Inventor: Scot R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 6955886
    Abstract: The invention provides a scintillation proximity assay for detecting peptidoglycan synthesis. The assay is especially suitable for high throughput screening of compounds affecting peptidoglycan synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Sunita Desousa, Dwarakanath Prahlad
  • Patent number: 6821752
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of releasing a protein, recombinant or otherwise, from a cell. The process of the present invention involves contacting a host cell containing a protein of interest with a solution comprising one or more detergents and one or more reducing agents. The methods of the invention are particularly suitable to large scale production of recombinant products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventor: Scot R. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 6630302
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for methods and compositions for determining the species for an unknown bacterium (or fungus) in a sample. The approach, which utilizes Ribosomal operon sequences, permits one to identify important bacteria (or fungi) pathogens in a clinical setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Trustees of Boston University
    Inventor: Richard N. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 6379970
    Abstract: A method of detecting peptide fragments of protein(s) that are differentially present in biological samples. The identity of the peptides may be determined and correlated with the protein(s) that are differentially present in the samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Daniel C. Liebler, Thomas D. McClure, Garth Powis
  • Patent number: 6245296
    Abstract: Target moiety is detected by (a) providing an antibody specific to the target, (b) saturating the binding sites of the antibody with a labelled form of the target, (c) flowing a liquid containing the target past the saturated antibody, thereby (d) allowing the target to displace the labelled antigen, and (e) detecting the displaced labelled antigen with a detector for the label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Frances S. Ligler, Bruce P. Gaber, Anne W. Kusterbeck, Gregory A. Wemhoff
  • Patent number: 6187565
    Abstract: A process is described for converting organic materials (such as biomass wastes) into sterile, high-grade bacterial protein suitable for use an animal feed or human food supplements. In a preferred embodiment the process involves thermally gasifying the organic material into primarily carbon monoxide, hydrogen and nitrogen products, followed by photosynthetic bacterial assimilation of the gases into cell material, which can be as high as 65% protein. The process is ideally suited for waste recycling and for food production under zero-gravity or extra-terrestrial conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Paul F. Weaver
  • Patent number: 6159682
    Abstract: A control and system for acute protein plasma measurement. The control includes morphologically fixed and stabilized blood cells that have been added to a diluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Streck Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne L. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5723310
    Abstract: A method is described for isolating an exogenous polypeptide in a non-native conformation from cells, such as an aqueous fermentation broth, in which it is prepared comprising contacting the polypeptide with a chaotropic agent and preferably a reducing agent and with phase-forming species to form multiple aqueous phases, with one of the phases being enriched in the polypeptide and depleted in the biomass solids and nucleic acids originating from the cells. Preferably, the method results in two aqueous phases, with the upper phase being enriched in the polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Builder, Roger Hart, Philip Lester, John Ogez, David Reifsnyder
  • Patent number: 5624841
    Abstract: A process is described for the growth of anaerobic thermophilic heterotrophic methanogens belonging to the species Pyrobaculum islandicum and Pyrococcus furiosus to high cell densities under steady state conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Microbiological Research Authority, of Centre for Applied Microbiology & Research
    Inventors: Neil D. H. Raven, John D. Cossar, Narendra M. Ladwa, Richard J. Sharp
  • Patent number: 5529911
    Abstract: Granules containing salinomycin are prepared that are free-flowing, dust-free, and have unrestricted bioavailability of salinomycin. The granules are produced by fermenting a culture broth with a salinomycin producing microorganism to a residual fat content of about 24 to 30% by dry weight broth, adding to the fermented broth a cellulose ether and an anticaking agent, and spray drying the broth while adding a flow auxiliary to produce granules containing 10 to 26% by weight salinomycin. The granules also contain, based on the weight of the broth being fermented, 30 to 40% anticaking agent and flow auxiliary in a ratio of 3:1 to 9:1 and 0.5 to 2% cellulose ether. The anticaking agent is preferably a calcium carbonate such as chalk or a silica of natural origin such as diatomaceous earth, talc, or kaolin. The flow auxiliary is preferably a synthetic or precipitated silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rolf Hohl
  • Patent number: 5486368
    Abstract: A modified cultured yeast product for human and animal consumption is produced by combining yeast cream and yeast centrate to produce a cream/centrate mixture, autolyzing the mixture, inactivating by heating the mixture and optionally drying. After autolysis, hydrolysis may be carried out by the use of acids, alkalis or enzymes. The yeast cream and yeast centrate are preferably produced by culturing Kluveromyces marxianus or Candida intermedia in a whey permeate and separating yeast cream and yeast centrate from the cultured whey permeate. The cream and centrate are combined such that the ratio of total solids of cream to total solids of centrate is between about 0.3 and 1.6 and preferably about 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: DMV USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolf de Boer, Roland K. Kramer, Ronald W. McKernan
  • Patent number: 5407810
    Abstract: A method is described for isolating an exogenous polypeptide in a non-native conformation from cells, such as an aqueous fermentation broth, in which it is prepared comprising contacting the polypeptide with a chaotropic agent and preferably a reducing agent and with phase-forming species to form multiple aqueous phases, with one of the phases being enriched in the polypeptide and depleted in the biomass solids and nucleic acids originating from the cells. Preferably, the method results in two aqueous phases, with the upper phase being enriched in the polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Builder, Roger Hart, Philip Lester, John Ogez, David Reifsnyder
  • Patent number: 5397711
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the determination of an analyte in a sample liquid by a reaction proceeding in several steps which are separated from one another in time and a suitable reaction vessel for this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Finckh
  • Patent number: 5342762
    Abstract: Recombinant protein purification vectors and methods for their use are disclosed. The vectors contain a DNA sequence coding for a gelatin binding region of fibronectin. The vectors express a foreign DNA sequence of interest fused to the fibronectin portion. Secretion signals on the fused product assist the product in being secreted from a production cell. The product can then be purified on a gelatin containing affinity column and digested with a protease such as trypsin to cleave the desired protein from the gelatin binding region. The vectors can also be designed to code for factor XIIIa cross liking sites and to have a chemically reactive cysteine residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Deane F. Mosher, Jane M. Sottile
  • Patent number: 5314820
    Abstract: A methanol-utilizing bacterium selected from the group consisting of Methylophilus KISRI 5 (NCIB 12135), Methylophilus KISRI 6.1 (NCIB 12136), Methylophilus KISRI 512 (NCIB 12137), Methylophilus KISRI 5112 (NCIB 12138) and mutants and variants thereof. Also, bacterial cultures comprising these novel strains of Methylophilus and a method of producing single cell protein comprising culturing one or more of the Methylophilus strains of the invention in a methanol-containing aqueous culture medium, preferably in the culture medium of the invention which has been optimized for culturing these novel Methylophilus strains. The culture method preferably further comprises the recycling of spent culture medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
    Inventors: Ibrahim Y. Hamdan, Amin S. ElNawawy, Ibrahim M. Banat, Nader M. Al-Awadhi
  • Patent number: 5106731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a growth factor found in HTLV-II conditioned media and to compositions containing same. The growth factor of the present invention supports the growth of Kaposi's sarcoma endothelial-like cells. The factor has a molecular weight of 30K to 35K in monomeric form and a molecular weight of about 70K in dimeric form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Syed Z. Salahuddin, Shuji Nakamura, Robert C. Gallo
  • Patent number: 5049493
    Abstract: The invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including a substantially purified gene which codes for an oxygen-binding protein, and a gene promoter/regulator which is useful in subjecting the translation/transcription of DNA sequences to selective regulation by external control, and plasmid vectors containing those nucleotide sequences, which are valuable bioprocessing catalysts for enhancing the growth characteristics of cells, and increasing production of various proteins and metabolites of those cells. Methods for the use of these nucleotide sequences and related plasmids for a range of applications including oxygen supply to cells, growth enhancement, expression of various gene products, enhancement of oxygen-requiring processes, binding and separation of oxygen from liquids and gases, and a range of oxidative reactions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Chaitan S. Khosla, James E. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5008186
    Abstract: Methods for detecting a unique strain of chlamydia associated with acute respiratory disease are disclosed. These methods utilize monoclonal antibody directed against an antigenic determinant of the TWAR strain of chlamydia. Also disclosed is a method for determining the presence of antibodies to the TWAR strain, utilizing elementary bodies of the TWAR strain as antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Washington
    Inventors: J. Thomas Grayston, Cho-chou Kuo, San-pin Wang
  • Patent number: 4981653
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an analytical reagent test strip for assaying fluid samples. The reagent test strip of this invention has a self-indicating format which provides accurate and reliable results without the need for a color chart or instrument analysis. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, reagent threads are incorporated into and protrude through a polymer housing. The threads are placed in a particular pattern whereby different colored configurations will occur in response to different concentrations of analyte in a sample. The present invention is accurate, reliable and convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Miles Inc.
    Inventor: Rebecca A. Marino
  • Patent number: 4834976
    Abstract: Cell lines have been produced that secrete monoclonal antibodies capable of binding to the flagellar proteins of selected Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Some of these antibodies have been found to be protective against lethal challenges of P. aeruginosa. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these antibodies, which can be in combination with other monoclonal antibodies, blood plasma fractions and antimicrobial agents, and the prophylactic and therapeutic use of such compositions in the management of infections, are included.Prior to filing this application, the continuous transformed cell lines PaF4 IVE8, FA6 IIG5, 20H11, and 21B8, described herein, were deposited in the America Type Culture Collection and given the designations HB9129, HB9130, CRL 9300, and CRL 9301, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Genetic Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Mae J. Rosok, Mark E. Lostrom
  • Patent number: 4795708
    Abstract: Single cell protein (SCP) is produced at high yields from a novel methanol assimilating Methylomonas sp. grown at elevated temperatures in an aerobic bacterial fermentation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: George T. Sperl, John A. Cruze
  • Patent number: 4752564
    Abstract: A process for the production of microbial cells by fermentation of carbonaceous material in a foam fermenter containing an oxygen-enriched nutrient medium. The process uses a source of carbon which is assimilable by the microorganism for the production of the microbial cells. The microbial cells are separated and removed from the foam fermenter for use as a food product high in protein content. The process includes the controlled release of a quantity of the constituents of a portion of the microorganism within the fermenter to increase the maintenance of the source of carbon and the nutrient medium in a foamed condition at a predetermined level in the fermenter. Also disclosed are various forms of apparatus for practicing the process of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4707449
    Abstract: Mutant Pichia pastoris yeasts which produce relatively high levels of tryptophan. These high tryptophan capability Pichia pastoris mutants, grown on such as methanol or glucose, produce improved amino acid balance single-cell protein product reducing the need to supplement single-cell protein with tryptophan when used as food supplements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Lucas K. Shay
  • Patent number: 4670397
    Abstract: Fermentation apparatus useful for conducting aerobic fermentations of microbial cells, particularly at high productivities, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Eugene H. Wegner, Harold R. Hunt
  • Patent number: 4663291
    Abstract: A method of specimen treatment preparatory to conducting an immunoassay is disclosed whereby a microbial protein is solubilized by a detergent at elevated temperatures and in the presence of an alkali or alkaline earth metal ion. At elevated temperatures, the detergent is soluble. However, at lower temperatures, the presence of the metal ion renders the detergent insoluble so that it is prevented from interacting in the immunoassay procedure. A specific application is in the solubilization of the principal outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Philip S. Rose
  • Patent number: 4652527
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for single cell protein production which involves the culturing of Methylophilus methylotrophus microorganisms by facultative growth on glucose as a carbon and energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Celanese Corporation
    Inventor: David I. Stirling
  • Patent number: 4643972
    Abstract: Multiphase contacting between gas, solid and liquid phases is effected using a novel apparatus comprising a cylindrical vessel, a draft tube, a conical bottom and a gas-sparger system. Mild and uniform mixing is achieved within the novel apparatus while stagnant zones and zones of high shear within the vessel are eliminated. Gas-liquid mass transfer is achieved at rates comparable to conventional high-shear mechanically-stirred devices while the efficiency of liquid mixing in the vessel is better than conventional low-shear pneumatically-stirred devices. The apparatus is preferably used in fermentation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventor: Murray M. Young
  • Patent number: 4617274
    Abstract: Novel yeasts are disclosed including Pichia pastoris NRRL Y-11430, yeasts having the characteristics of Pichia pastoris NRRL Y-11430, mutants of Pichia pastoris NRRL Y-11430, and strains derived therefrom. Also disclosed are methods of culturing the strains, and biochemical conversions employing the strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Eugene H. Wegner
  • Patent number: 4614651
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new material having antiviral activity designated interferon epsilon. The material may be produced, for example, by exposing primary, diploid human epithelial cells to a virus and then incubating the cells under conditions in which the new interferon is produced and is secreted into the culture medium. The material is antigenically distinct from interferon alpha, interferon beta, and interferon gamma, and displays marked antiviral activity in human epithelial cells but no detectable activity in other cell types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Damon Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan P. Jarvis, Jr., David I. Kosowsky
  • Patent number: 4614717
    Abstract: Products which are soluble without opalescence even at pH 3 and which, because of their reproducible composition, are particularly well suited as a source of nitrogen for organisms are obtained by enzymatic degradation of uniform microbial cell aggregates, using endoproteases, and isolation of the protein fraction up to 2,000 Dalton, preferably from 400 to 1,500 Dalton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Traudel Kachholz, Udo Scharf, Merten Schlingmann
  • Patent number: 4606917
    Abstract: Combinations of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl) guanine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with .beta.-interferon show a surprisingly high degree of synergism in their activity against viral infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A) Inc.
    Inventor: Deborah A. Eppstein
  • Patent number: 4601986
    Abstract: A nucleic acid-reduced substantially allergen-free single cell protein product is obtained by culturing a yeast, fungi or bacterium on an ultra-low sulfate medium, treating the produced cells with a base at a pH of about 9.5 with moderate heat, thereafter treating the base-treated cells with acid to a pH of about 4 with moderate heat, and treating the base-treated acid-treated cells with a relatively high temperature short time heat shock, followed by extrusion. Optionally, the extruded product is annealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Eugene H. Wegner, Lucas K. Shay
  • Patent number: 4596778
    Abstract: Single cell protein is produced in an aqueous fermentation process employing an oxidizable sulfur energy source plus a carbon dioxide source, such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, in a controlled oxygen aqueous environment. The process also can employ carbon dioxide containing off-gases from a conventional aqueous fermentation process employing a conventional oxidizable carbon energy source, such as methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Donald O. Hitzman
  • Patent number: 4514501
    Abstract: A method for cultivating, under alkaline conditions, microorganisms in a culture medium containing, as a carbon source, the extracted liquor or spent liquor derived from alkaline pulping is presented. In this cultivation, organic acids contained in the extracted liquor or spent liquor can be effectively utilized. Typical microorganisms cultured are bacteria belonging to the genera Bacillus, Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium and Brevibacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Oji Paper Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Kita, Kazuo Koide, Kouki Horiko
  • Patent number: 4473641
    Abstract: Protein is produced by bacterial degradation of rubber in a nutrient-containing, preferably sterile environment. The resultant protein is particularly useful as an animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Inventor: Henry E. Voegeli
  • Patent number: 4439525
    Abstract: Mutant yeasts of the strain Pichia pastoris have been developed which contain relatively high levels of methionine. These high methionine content Pichia pastoris mutants grow on an oxygenated hydrocarbon such as methanol, to produce improved amino acid balance single-cell protein product eliminating or reducing the need to supplement single-cell protein with methionine when used as food supplements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Lucas K. Shay, Eugene H. Wegner
  • Patent number: 4416987
    Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a method for synthesizing proteins by means of strains of microorganisms improved as regards their performances in using methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: PCUK - Produits Chimiques Ugine Kuhlmann
    Inventors: Bruno Cabane, Pierre Galzy
  • Patent number: 4376826
    Abstract: Continuous production of bacteria for leaching metallic ore is carried out by inoculating the bacteria on a pitted plate, supplying a nutrient substrate to the bacteria to promote growth of the bacteria, periodically harvesting bacteria from the plate and conveying the harvested bacteria by sluice to a leaching site. Harvesting is preferably carried out by passing a blade over the plate to shear off bacteria above the surface of the plate leaving behind bacteria within the pits of the plate for continued bacteria growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Inventor: Roy L. Mynatt
  • Patent number: 4370351
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method for producing a protein enriched food or feed product and products thereof. The method entails forming a mixture of water and a food or feed product, sterilizing the mixture, innoculating the sterilized mixture with a spawn culture of the genus Pleurotus, maintaining the innoculated mixture in the presence of air at a temperature of from about 5.degree. to about 46.degree. C. so as to enable the mycelium of the spawn culture to grow, and later terminating the growth of the mycelium. The food or feed product resulting from this process has an increased protein content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Inventor: James L. Harper
  • Patent number: 4368271
    Abstract: Microbial cells are produced in great quantities and good yield, and economically by cultivating a bacterium belonging to species selected from the group consisting of Flavobacterium tosaensis, Pseudomonas wakayamaensis, Flavobacterium methanolicola, Corynebacterium yamanasiensis, in a culture medium containing methanol as a major carbon source. Methanol is abundantly available from the chemical industry. The resultant microbial cells have a high protein content and can be utilized as feed, food, medical and industrial materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignees: Sekisui Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Yoshiharu Miura
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Miura, Mitsuo Okazaki, Setsuo Komemushi, Tenji Sakata, Satoshi Shiroza, Satoshi Obana
  • Patent number: 4346113
    Abstract: A continuous process for the production of alcohol and yeast biomass by reaction in a uniform fermenting mixture of a sugar-bearing, aqueous slurry, starter yeast, yeast nutrients and an oxygen-bearing gas, wherein the yeast is a flocculating, bottom yeast, the portion of the wort which remains after separation of the alcohol-bearing medium therefrom, is recycled to the fermenting mixture, the oxygen-bearing gas is dispersed homogeneously throughout the fermenting mixture, and is introduced to maintain a mean-free oxygen concentration not greater than 1 ppm in the aqueous phase, and the process is controlled to maintain the measurable free sugar concentration in the fermenting mixture at a level which does not exceed 0.1 percent by weight, and to maintain the active yeast concentration in the fermenting mixture between 100 and 110 percent of the specific degree of fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Faust, Paul Prave, Beate Dorsemagen, Norbert Hofer
  • Patent number: 4342835
    Abstract: Foam in a fermentation process is subjected to a centrifugal action causing a three layer separation. The three layers (gas, cell depleted liquid and cell rich liquid) are in contact with each other inside of the fermentation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Assignee: Provesta Corporation
    Inventors: Donald O. Hitzman, Thomas R. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4341802
    Abstract: Microorganisms with low nucleic acid content are produced by acid treating of the microorganism. One embodiment relates to the extraction of so treated microorganisms after their separation from the acid treating fluid, using a strong base for the extraction. Another embodiment relates to the neutralization of the acid treating fluid containing nucleic acids prior to the introduction of this fluid into the fermentation zone, the anion of the acid and the metal cation used in the neutralization step forming minerals desirable for the growth medium in the fermentation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Provesto Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4340677
    Abstract: An organism rich fluid is withdrawn from a foam fermenting apparatus by collecting and withdrawing the fluid from the foam breaker. In another embodiment the fluid from the foam breaker inside of the fermentor is subjected to a liquid/solid centrifugal action and an organism rich fluid stream as well as an organism depleted fluid stream is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Donald O. Hitzman
  • Patent number: RE30965
    Abstract: Single cell protein (SCP) and other fermentation products are produced by aerobic fermentation processes at relatively high temperature conditions employing oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds, such as methanol, as carbon and energy source material, and employing certain unique species Bacillus NRRL B-8066 or NRRL B-8065 as microbial conversion agent, preferably in foam-filled fermentation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Provesta Corporation
    Inventor: Donald O. Hitzman